With onset of winter, denizens of the district have started heading towards the picnic spots and different tourist destinations to welcome the New Year. Places like Jubilee Park, Dimna lake, Tata Steel Zoological Park, Hudco Dam in Telco and Kanderbera, NH-33 are the favourites.
The police administration will provide adequate number of armed personnel from December 24 till January 10.
Senior superintendent of police, Anoop T Mathew said that instructions to this effect have already been given to the concerned police stations. “like in past this year too we want to ensure safety of the people. We have always provided armed policemen for the security of the places like Dimna lake, Jubilee Park and other parks as well as the places of attractions. However during the picnic season that begins from December 24, additional forces will be deployed in all these places so that the visitors may not fall victim to any anti-social activity,” Mathew said.
Besides the policemen, women cops will also be deployed in the picnic spots. He pointed out that the policing at the picnic spots will be continuously monitored by deputy superintendent of police of the concerned areas.
He also said apart from the deployment of the additional police forces, triple-riding, drunk driving and use of pressure horns by the bike riders will be prohibited during the Christmas and New Year revelry. He added that the traffic police and members of Quick Response Team (QRT) which is comprised of guards of private security company Panther Securitiy and the policemen will remain mobile to ensure streets are free from anti-social elements.
Mathew said additional 200 policemen and police women will be sent to the picnic spots, strategic locations leading to the during the period starting form December 24 till January 10. He pointed out that if necessary the date of special security arrangement may be extended further beyond January 10.
“The security arrangements have been fairly strict with about a dozen guards in each of the spots, keeping the crowd under control besides monitoring their safety. Since people could be so excited at times then we have to be a little tough with them,” said a senior police official.
Sources informed that since people love to visit placers like Dimna, Ghatshila and Patamda additional guards have been stationed for the day shift and one security guard vehicle has also been deployed.
All dam sites, waterfalls and other picnic spots in the district are virtually overcrowded with visitors these days.Check-posts have been erected at several places on the stretches leading to these spots to keep a check on the public, especially youths taking liquor bottles with them. The police have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure the safety of the tourists.